More moms breastfeeding for longer

(CNN) - The number of babies who are breast fed continues to rise, according to a government report.

Between 2000 and 2010, the number of babies who were breastfeeding at 6 months increased 14 percent and the number of babies still breast feeding at 1 year rose 11 percent.

Bust breastfeeding is not always easy and can be exhausting, especially for new moms. Newborns may need to eat every two- to three hours around the clock. That's eight to 12 times a day.

If things aren't going well, get help from a lactation consultant.

"There are hormones in the brain that are released when the baby suckles at the breasts that make milk," said lactation consultant Joy Nichols, RN. "and if the mom can understand that breast feeding is supply-and-demand and the more the baby nurses, the more the milk is made."

To prevent sickness, health officials recommend infants be fed breast milk exclusively for the first six months of life.